2011 Performers

Tanya Tagaq:

When Tanya Tagaqs’ music fills your ears, she is genuinely one of those rare artists whose sounds and styles are truly groundbreaking. ‘Inuit throat singer’ is one part of her sonic quotient. So are descriptions like ‘orchestral’ ‘hip-hop-infused’ and ‘primal’…but these words are not usually used collectively. In the case of Tagaq, however – they are. Since the release of her debut CD Sinaa (meaning ‘edge’ in her ancestral language of Inuktitut) in 2005 the Nunavut-born singer has not just attracted the attention of some of the world’s most groundbreaking artists, they have invited her to participate on their own musical projects, not just singularly, but repeatedly. Listed among the world renowned artists are Bjork and the Kronos String Quartet. Acclaim and respect has followed Tagaq on her solo ventures as well: both Sinaa and Auk / Blood were nominated for a Juno Award (Best Aboriginal Recording) and (Best Instrumental Recording) Both recordings won in several categories at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, including Best Female Artist. In 2009 Tanya also narrated and provided music for the National Film Board documentary, This Land. disc Auk—they are.

Pat Braden:

If ever you wanted a glimpse of life in Canada’s north, writer and storyteller Pat Braden will give you a captivating view. He weaves story into song, song into story, sometimes spoken word resonating over a textural bed of music, a rolling chord pattern or a shimmering soundscape generated on The Chapman Stick which, like northerners, may seem somewhat extraordinary. Pat Braden has performed in storytelling and folks festivals including the Harrison Festival of the Arts, Vancouver Storytelling Festival, and Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre. As a sideman, Pat has played with a who’s who of national and international musicians. To name a few, he has played with The Platters, Veda Hille, Tanya Tagaq, Leela Gilday, Natalie McMaster, Ivan Coyote and Tom Jackson.

Will Boulware:

At age 10, Will bought a set of drums and formed his first group “Wee Willy & The Winks” in which he played drums doing surf music until 13 when he traded in the drums for his first electric keyboard and started to listen to Jimmy Smith and his father’s Erroll Garner and Dave Brubeck records. When he was fourteen, he was already in an R&B group performing. He also played the organ in a trio he formed and started performing his own compositions. By 1972, his songs were recorded by B.B. King. In 1973, he turned 21 and went to New York where he mainly worked doing recording sessions in commercial field.

In the 80′s, Will lived in California doing some solo piano gigs and working with guitarists such as Scott Henderson, Phil Upchurch and Ron Eschete. By 1990, Will moved back to NYC where he started working with the late Phyllis Hyman and still doing some session work before starting in 1993, a 10-year organ stint with saxophonist Maceo Parker and touring with The Blues Brothers (1998), John Scofield (1999) and Carla Bley (2000). He also performed on Rodney Jones recordings and others. Today he continues to tour with the Maceo Parker Band.

The Gumboots

From the tragic to the triumphant to the tongue-in-cheek, no other folk group tells northern tales quite like The Gumboots. What Stan Rogers is to the east coast and Connie Kaldor to the prairies, so are The Gumboots to the Canadian north. Based in Yellowknife, in Canada’s Northwest Territories, The Gumboots perform and record original folk music documenting northern history and the individuals who formed it. The group celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009.

From time to time, the group also performs a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music. They tend to concentrate on vocal harmonies with guitars, mandolin, fiddle, recorder, tin whistles, accordion, harmonicas, bodhran, banjo, and occasionally the cello and even the moose bones providing the group’s instrumentation.

Winners of several Aurora Awards (Northern Performing Arts Awards) for Outstanding Performances by a group (2), Best New Song (2), the group has performed at Festival by the Sea in St. John New Brunswick, the Atlin Music Festival in BC and regularly performs at Yellowknife’s annual Folk on the Rocks Festival. They have also appeared on CBC TV’s “The National Doubt - True North Concert” broadcast on CBC TV.

Wonderstuff

Dave "Big Dee" Wilson has performed as a magician and balloon twister for 28 years. Dave presents a fun family oriented magic show with a little bit of juggling and a whole lot of laughs.

"Big Dee" has appeared at many major events across the country including: Canada Day in Ottawa, The International Street Performers Festival, The Fringe, Children's Festivals, and more. He is a legend in the magic and busking communities for some of his past endeavors... (Although no longer part of his current show, Dee is best known as the guy whose street magic show included a lot of "Big Stuff"- over sized bowling balls, huge card tricks with chainsaws and blowing up hot water bottles until they burst at the end of the show!)

Now Big Dee's current comedy kidshow has returned to his roots as a family entertainer. Balloons, growing hats, magically appearing juggling balls and especially making kids the "Stars" of the show are just few of the fun elements part of the Big D magical family fun.

Along with his partner, Janice Shoults, whose stage name is Jana Banana - the couple bring much merriment to any family oriented festival or event - balloons, facepainting, games, magic, singalongs and more - we can create what you need to bring sparkle to your event.

Whether he is doing a solo show, or collaborating with Jana Banana for the "Jana Banana Sing Along Show with Magic by Big Dee" - Dave and Janice are committed to producing the best in quality family entertainment for your event.

Aaron "Godson" Hernandez
http://www.thegodson.com